• The Patriots have kept their off-season spending streak going, signing former Eagle WR Donte Stallworth. The deal is basically a “prove it” deal for Stallworth, who, if he can stay healthy, may have the Pats pick up the option for 2008 that would pay him $11 million in bonuses. Stallworth, combined with Wes Welker, gives the Pats two good speed targets. The Patriots were criticized for not being more aggressive last off season, but have made up for it with the signing of the two WRs and Adalius Thomas. New England also has two first round draft picks, which, after the signings, they could use on secondary or linebacker help.
• The Eagles also lost nickelback Roderick Hood to the Cardinals, who will give the Auburn graduate a chance to start opposite of Antrel Rolle. The Cardinals, like New England, seem to be making very logical signings. The Cardinals free agency moves should allow them to add offensive line and defensive tackle assistance in the draft. The Cardinals may be able to contend for the NFC West crown in 2007.
• Proving that you can go home again, Donnie Edwards returns to the Kansas City Chiefs, after five seasons in San Diego. He joins a rebuilt linebacking corps that also include former first round pick Napoleon Harris. The Chiefs need to address WR and defensive line in the upcoming draft.

• The Browns signed former Ravens RB Jamal Lewis to a one year contract. This may pave the way for the Browns to take Adrian Peterson, and use him as the Patriots used Dillion/Maroney last season. Lewis will get to take on his former team twice a year.
• As for the Ravens, the War Room Report is hearing that the Buffalo Bills will trade Willis McGahee to the Ravens, in exchange for a 2nd rd pick and a later pick. This would probably force Buffalo to draft Marshawn Lynch, as predicted in the last War Room Report Mock Draft.
• The Saints inked former 49er Tight End Eric Johnson. TE was a weak spot for the Saints last year, and while Johnson is not a huge playmaker, his signing will probably prevent the Saints from using a first day pick on a tight end.
• Former Saint, Joe Horn, signed with the Falcons. Horn should be a stabilizing influence on a team that has lackluster WRs. The Falcons should still address the WR position early in the draft.

The War Room Report will be updating on mock draft later today!

• Joey Porter signed with the Miami Dolphins today, who gave him a $12 million dollar signing bonus and $20 million in guarantees. While Porter and Jason Taylor will be a formidable pass rushing duo in Dom Capers version of the 3-4, it remains to be seen how the Miami linebackers will fare if a team spreads the field and forces Taylor, Porter, or Zach Thomas to cover a speedy RB or TE. The contract that Miami gave Porter is surprising.
• The Kansas City Chiefs replaced Kavika Mitchell with Napoleon Harris, the former Northwestern linebacker, who was a first round pick of the Raiders in 2002. Harris received $7.5 million in guaranteed money, and while it appears he has talent, he is often injured. This at least takes a need area away from KC.
• New Orleans also addressed a problem area, signing Brian Simmons, formerly of Cincinnati. Simmons is not the player he once was, but he is an upgrade over Scott Fujita, or could replace Mark Simoneau in the middle. This should allow NO to take the best defensive player, regardless of position, in Round 1.
• Patrick Kearney, one of the impact players on the market, signed with Seattle, where he will start at DE. Kearney’s signing probably reduces the chance that Seattle will take a DE with their Round 2 pick (They traded their first rounder to New England). Kearney is a solid player, but at 30 years old, is probably not worth $19.5 million in guaranteed money.
• The biggest piece of news is the Chicago Bears trading RB Thomas Jones to the Jets. Jones is an upgrade over Leon Washington, and the trade allows Cedric Benson to start for the Bears. The Jets seemingly got a good value, by trading the 37th overall pick for Jones and the 63rd overall pick. The Jets have already signed Jones to a long term deal.

After shipping starter Tatum Bell to the Lions, the Denver Broncos have filled the void with Travis Henry, who was cut by Tennessee. Henry should be very productive as the starter for the Broncos, who will pay him $12 million dollars in guarantees over a five year contract.

This is a great move by Denver and is likely to cause several of the other free agent running backs to fall into place.

(Source: ESPN.com)

The Green Bay Press Gazette is reporting that Houston gave Ahman Green a four year, $23 million dollar deal, that will pay Green $8 million in year one of the deal. This is far above the limit that Green Bay had established for Green.

It appears he will certainly be the main ball carrier for the Texans, where he joins former Packer Coach, Mike Sherman.

Green Bay simply must address their running back situation, as Oklahoma State product Vernand Morency currently #1 on the depth chart. There are rumors that GB could be interested in Travis Henry, who was cut by Tennessee. More than likely, the Packers will add at least one back in the draft.

A popular rumor website is speculating that the Lions could trade Tatum Bell to GB, but it does seem unlikely that the two teams would trade within the division.

• The Washington Redskins were back at it, signing FAs London Fletcher-Baker and Fred Smoot. Some analysts were celebrating their “restraint” but investing in a 32 year old middle linebacker does not seem like the right move for a team that is not a Super Bowl contender. As Justin Davis of the WRR asked about Fred Smoot - “Is it possible for the same team to overpay a player twice?”.
• Seattle is aggressively pursuing free agents Patrick Kearny and Daniel Graham. Denver is also on both players, but it is reported that Seattle is offering more money to both. Seattle does not have a Round 1 pick (shipped to New England in the Deion Branch deal), but if they do not acquire Kearney, they could look to select a player from the deep defensive end class in Round 2 of the draft. The latest WRR 2007 NFL Mock Draft has Seattle taking an interior defensive lineman in Round 2.
• Brady Quinn worked out on Saturday at Notre Dame’s pro day. Quinn did not run, choosing only to do passing drills. He indicated that he will run at the 2nd Notre Dame Pro Day. Interesting to note that while Minnesota, Houston, and Cleveland had a large number of decision makers present, Matt Millen of the Lions was absent. (Source: ESPN.com)
• An underrated signing could be Cleveland signing former Redskin and Jaguar CB Kenny Wright. While Wright is not exceptional, it may free up the Browns to focus on other positions of need, like offensive line, in the draft.
• The offensive line building continues - Dallas signs Leonard Davis to a big contract, Arizona is hosting seemingly every FA offensive lineman, and Washington is trying to sign Luke Pettigout. It is going to be very interesting to see what happens to salaries once “marquee” players become available.

• The Houston Texans signed running back Ahman Green from the Packers.  This probably means that Green Bay will be forced to draft a RB. If the draft works out as predicted in the War Room Report 2007 NFL Mock Draft, Green Bay will be behind the eight ball in finding a back.
• The Rams signed WR Drew Bennett, formerly of Tennessee. The Titans simply must address the WR position, by adding free agent Donte Stallworth, or drafting a WR in the draft. The amount of talent available at the WR position draft in the 2007 Draft should make it easy for the Titans to grab a difference maker there.
• It appears that the Patriots will sign Dolphin WR Wes Welker to a high offer sheet. If Miami declines to match the seven year, 38.5 million dollar offer, they will receive the 60th pick in the draft. I would rather have the 60th pick than Wes Welker.

Two two RFA defensive lineman have been resigned. The Green Bay Packers inked Cullen Jenkins to a four year, $16 million deal.

Buffalo resigned DE Chris Kelsay to a massive payday, with a four year, $23 million extension, including $13 million in guaranteed money.

A number of veteran players have already been released or are expected to be released in the next few days. Among them are:

Miami - Joey Harrington, Kevin Carter, Seth McKinney
Dallas - Drew Bledsoe
St. Louis - Dexter Coakley, Adam Timmerman
Minnesota - Fred Smoot
San Francisco - Sammy Davis

The New England Patriots have tagged CB Asante Samuel. This removes one of the top free agents from the board, and will likely alter the draft plans for the Patriots. We can still see New England targeting a corner on day one of the draft, however. As predicted in the War Room Report Free Agent Preview, Samuel joins Lance Briggs as the latest top star to be franchised.

Chicago made an effort to retain linebacker Lance Briggs by placing the franchise tag on him. Briggs was integral in leading the Bears to the Super Bowl, and his return should help the defense remain in the upper echelon.

Justin Smith has been tagged as a franchise player by the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith will be paid 8.5 million in 2007, and this cuts the available cap space of the Bengals in half. This move should allow the Bengals to draft secondary or linebacker help in the 2007 NFL Draft.